Exploring Life & Business with Talya Kornachuk of Cotte De Mailles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Talya Kornachuk

Hi Talya, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My business started as a hobby back in 2016! My ex had a small chainmail bracelet that I thought looked cool, otherwise I had no interest in chainmail prior to that, and I wanted one! I looked online to buy one for myself and after looking but not finding anything I liked, I decided to try making one for myself. I had no idea what size rings to buy, what materials I needed, what tools to buy etc. I literally had no idea haha. Everything started with trial and error, buying cheap rings from a crafts store and practicing. Once I did some reading on it, I slowly figured out more and more and once I got the hang of it, I started having so many ideas flooding in for pieces I had never seen done before. It became a really fun hobby, and once I started posting my work on social media so many friends wanted to buy pieces from me! And it kind of just snowballed from there.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
At first my biggest struggle was actually learning different weaves. Later on when I established a style and was making more intricate and original pieces it was navigating figuring out what to do when people were copying my work. Now, my biggest struggle is just trying to keep up because I’m a one person business and very busy!

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cotte De Mailles?
Cotte de mailles literally means “chainmail” in French. I was born and raised Canada and grew up speaking French at school and at home, and when I was looking for a business name I thought just using the name “chainmail” but in French – “cotte de mailles” was funny because it sounded unique and fancy. It’s so simple but someone who doesn’t speak French wouldn’t even know that it’s kind of a funny inside joke.

I specialize in making unique handmade chainmail accessories, and I’d say I’m known for making unique and original pieces! When I first started I felt that I was different from other chainmaillers at the time because I was making more cute and dainty stuff instead of the regular chainmail wear (like the stuff you see in the movies) and everything else I found online back in 2016 was (in my opinion) so basic and not cute. I starting using ribbon in pieces, I made a chainmail bolo (there are many other people out there who make chainmail bolos now though), making stuff I’d never seen before like pins and making statement pieces using snaffle bits and unique hardware etc.

Honestly I don’t know what to be *most* proud of – I’m impressed with myself for being able to build a following, always making new and unique designs while also doing everything 100% myself including making everything, answering emails and building my website while raising a child now, too.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice is be original, don’t copy others because you’ll never succeed if you don’t have real motivation + treat it like a real 9-5 job and take it seriously. What you put in, you’ll get back.

Pricing:

• Necklaces $150 – $250
• Bracelets $50 – $120
• Earrings $40 – $100
• Accessories $5 – $150

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopcottedemailles.com/
• Instagram: cottedemailles